Many Buddhists, especially in the west (to whom the topic of this discussion most aptly applies)study and follow teachings and styles of meditation from a variety of traditions,even if they have formally been introduced to the Dharma on connection with one particular tradition.For this reason alone, the question "which Buddhism?" does not need clarification.

As Malcom says, "I am Buddhist. But I am not really a "buddhist". I am a practitioner of Dharma, not a follower of a school."...

Profile Picture: "The Foaming Monk"The Chinese characters are Fo (buddha) and Ming (bright). The image is of a student of Buddhism, who, imagining himself to be a monk, and not understanding the true meaning of the words takes the sound of the words literally. Likewise, People on web forums sometime seem to be foaming at the mouth. Original painting by P.Volker /used by permission.

Malcolm wrote: I am Buddhist. But I am not really a "buddhist". I am a practitioner of Dharma, not a follower of a school.

Is your point that as soon as one refers to Buddism, that the 'ism' makes it a reference to one specific tradition or another, and that it is an inaccurate term because not all traditions agree on all the same doctrines,hence, there is no common ("generic") Buddhism?...

Profile Picture: "The Foaming Monk"The Chinese characters are Fo (buddha) and Ming (bright). The image is of a student of Buddhism, who, imagining himself to be a monk, and not understanding the true meaning of the words takes the sound of the words literally. Likewise, People on web forums sometime seem to be foaming at the mouth. Original painting by P.Volker /used by permission.

dzogchungpa wrote:Well, nobody ever asks me if I'm a Buddhist, but this thread is beginning to make me think I would say no if someone did.

Alas, one thing all Buddhist schools share in common, is that they all have their share of obsessive nit-pickers.

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Profile Picture: "The Foaming Monk"The Chinese characters are Fo (buddha) and Ming (bright). The image is of a student of Buddhism, who, imagining himself to be a monk, and not understanding the true meaning of the words takes the sound of the words literally. Likewise, People on web forums sometime seem to be foaming at the mouth. Original painting by P.Volker /used by permission.

I doubt it. I forsee the conversation developing in the following manner: "You believe in outside tents? High tents? You mean like a circus tent? And what does trying to grab medium sized parsnips have to do with...?"

PadmaVonSamba wrote:Is your point that as soon as one refers to Buddism, that the 'ism' makes it a reference to one specific tradition or another, and that it is an inaccurate term because not all traditions agree on all the same doctrines,hence, there is no common ("generic") Buddhism?

I am making the point it is an inaccurate term for me for the reasons you state. That is why I prefer to call my "self" (a sensitive term around here, apparently) a follower of Buddhadharma, rather than a Buddhist of this or that type.

Last edited by Malcolm on Sat Dec 14, 2013 3:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Sherab Dorje wrote:I doubt it. I forsee the conversation developing in the following manner: "You believe in outside tents? High tents? You mean like a circus tent? And what does trying to grab medium sized parsnips have to do with...?"

THAT'S INTENSE!

Profile Picture: "The Foaming Monk"The Chinese characters are Fo (buddha) and Ming (bright). The image is of a student of Buddhism, who, imagining himself to be a monk, and not understanding the true meaning of the words takes the sound of the words literally. Likewise, People on web forums sometime seem to be foaming at the mouth. Original painting by P.Volker /used by permission.

I lived in the countryside in Ireland where i was the only Jewish as well as Buddhist person for miles and I always said I was a Buddhist when people asked me what I was doing for Easter, Christmas etc...why wouldn't you? You never know who is open maybe not today but 10 years from now to the Dharma, it's a great blessing to spread the Dharma. As for being an imperfect respresentive, well yes we all have afflictions and that's what the Dharma is for - to help us overcome them on the way to Enlightenment. This kind of weird modesty "I'm sooo imperfect" sounds very Christian to me. I never met a Japanese-American or Chinese-American who was shy about saying she or he was a Buddhist.gasshoRory

Namu Kanzeon Bosatsu Chih-I:The Tai-ching states "the women in the realms of Mara, Sakra and Brahma all neither abandoned ( their old) bodies nor received (new) bodies. They all received buddhahood with their current bodies (genshin)" Thus these verses state that the dharma nature is like a great ocean. No right or wrong is preached (within it) Ordinary people and sages are equal, without superiority or inferiority Paul, Groner "The Lotus Sutra in Japanese Culture"eds. Tanabe p. 58

I don't deny I'm Buddhist. I find people at my university (UofT) are very accepting and encouraging if it comes into the conversation. I have actually met a few non-Buddhists, who have completed (or are in the processing of completing) the minor in Buddhism, Psychology, and Mental Health, in my classes and are in the process of combining it with at least a minor in Aboriginal Studies. That is what I plan to do as well, and maybe major in Art History. I'd like to focus on Tibetan Buddhist art, so I don't really see a point in hiding. There are a lot more weirder people in Toronto and in the world. I have never ever had an authentic negative response from someone after telling them I am a Buddhist. GO CANADA!

rory, "This kind of weird modesty "I'm sooo imperfect" sounds very Christian to me" Wishing to spread the dharma also sounds very Christian to me. When you really 'know' then the spreading will happen spontaniously.

rory, "This kind of weird modesty "I'm sooo imperfect" sounds very Christian to me" Wishing to spread the dharma also sounds very Christian to me. When you really 'know' then the spreading will happen spontaniously.

Wow Greetara, by your definition the Lord Buddha himself must have been a 'Christian' spreading Buddhism! There was nothing spontaneous about it. Its thanks to that self righteous know-it-all we have the Dharma now. Equating acknowledging that you are Buddhist with evangelism is over the top & irrational to put it mildly. Was your reaction to the statement perhaps triggered by you interpreting it as disparaging Christianity?